Bedford High School
91%
Capacity
1,101
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About Bedford High School
Bedford High School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Wigan community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,101 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 1,210 places).
Ofsted has rated Bedford High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Paul McCaffery, it falls under Wigan local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.24 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.8. Additionally, ranked 2103rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 19 in Wigan.
Bedford High School is a popular choice with families — it received 448 applications for 231 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 199 were first-preference applications.
Bedford High School has good reviews on SchoolParrot (3.6/5 from 1 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Bedford High School include Swimming Pool, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Library, Science Labs, Sixth Form Centre, Astro Turf, Theatre, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Basketball, Football, Cricket and 6 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Newspaper, Choir, Book Club and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 37.3%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wigan, Bedford High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Manchester Road, Leigh, Wigan, WN7 2LU |
| Headteacher | Paul McCaffery |
| Local Authority | Wigan |
| Number of Pupils | 1,101 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 37.3% |
| School Capacity | 1,101 / 1,210 (91% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 8 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.24)
2103rd of 3,141
Nationally
256th of 445
In North West
11th of 19
In Wigan
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed231
448
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
199 families put this school as their 1st choice (44% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bedford High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Manchester Road, Leigh
Wigan, WN7 2LU
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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